Chloride DOC316.53.

01153

Silver Nitrate Method1, 2 Method 8225

0 to 25,000 mg/L as Cl Buret Titration
Scope and application: For water, wastewater and seawater.
1 USEPA accepted for NPDES reporting when 0.0141 N silver nitrate standard solution is used.
2 Adapted from Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, Standard Method 4500 CI- B.

Test preparation

Before starting
The optional TitraStir Titration Stand can hold the buret and stir the sample.
Review the Safety Data Sheets (MSDS/SDS) for the chemicals that are used. Use the recommended personal protective
equipment.
Dispose of reacted solutions according to local, state and federal regulations. Refer to the Safety Data Sheets for disposal
information for unused reagents. Refer to the environmental, health and safety staff for your facility and/or local regulatory
agencies for further disposal information.

Items to collect
Description Quantity

Chloride 2 Indicator Powder Pillow 1

Silver Nitrate Standard Solution (use a concentration that is applicable to the selected sample
varies
volume)
Buret, Class A, 25 mL 1
Graduated cylinder (use a size that is applicable to the selected sample volume), or TenSette
1
pipet with tips
Erlenmeyer flask, 250 mL 1
Funnel, micro 1
Support stand with buret clamp 1
Water, deionized varies

Refer to Consumables and replacement items on page 5 for order information.

Sample collection
Collect samples in clean glass or plastic bottles.
If prompt analysis is not possible, keep the sample for a maximum of 7 days.

1
Test procedure

1. Select a sample volume 2. Fill a 25-mL buret to the 3. Use a graduated cylinder 4. Pour the sample into a
and titrant from Table 1 zero mark with the titrant. or pipet1 to measure the clean, 250-mL Erlenmeyer
on page 3. sample volume from Table 1 flask.
on page 3.

5. If the sample volume is
less than 100 mL, dilute to
approximately 100 mL with
deionized water.
6. Add the contents of one
Chloride 2 Indicator Powder
Pillow.
7. Swirl to mix.
8. Put the flask under the
buret. Swirl the flask. Add
titrant until the color
changes from yellow to red-
brown.

9. Use the multiplier in

Table 1 on page 3 to
calculate the concentration.
mL of titrant multiplier =
mg/L as Cl.

Sample volumes and multipliers

Select a range in Table 1, then read across the table row to find the applicable
information for this test. Use the multiplier to calculate the concentration in the test
procedure.

1 Titration accuracy has a direct relation to the accuracy of the sample volume measurement. For smaller
volumes, it is recommended to use a pipet to increase accuracy.

2 Chloride (25,000 mg/L)

 Example: A 100-mL sample was titrated with 0.0141 N titrant and 12 mL of titrant was
used at the endpoint. The concentration is 12 mL 5 = 60 mg/L as Cl.
Table 1 Sample volumes and multipliers
Range (mg/L) Sample volume (mL) Titrantsilver nitrate Multiplier
0125 100 0.0141 N 5
100250 50 0.0141 N 10
200500 25 0.0141 N 20
5001250 100 0.141 N 50
10002500 50 0.141 N 100
250010,000 25 0.141 N 200
500025,000 10 0.141 N 500

Conversions
To change the units or chemical form of the test result, multiply the test result by the
factor in Table 2.
Table 2 Conversions
mg/L chloride (Cl) to... multiply by... Example
mg/L sodium chloride (NaCl) 1.65 1000 mg/L chloride x 1.65 = 1650 mg/L NaCl
meq/L chloride (Cl) 0.02821 1000 mg/L chloride x 0.02821 = 28.21 meq/L Cl

Interferences
Interfering substance Interference level
Bromide Interferes directly and is included in the test result.
Cyanide Interferes directly and is included in the test result.
Iodide Interferes directly and is included in the test result.
Iron Concentrations that are more than 20 mg/L prevent the color change at the endpoint.
Orthophosphate Concentrations that are more than 25 mg/L cause a precipitate to form.
Highly buffered Can prevent the correct pH adjustment (of the sample) by the reagents. Sample pretreatment may
samples or extreme be necessary. Adjust strongly alkaline or acidic samples to a pH of 7 to 9 with 5.25 N sulfuric acid or
sample pH 5.0 N sodium hydroxide. Do not use a pH meter directly for the pH adjustment because the pH
electrode will contaminate the sample. Collect a separate sample to find the correct quantity of acid
or base to add. Then, add the same quantity of acid or base to the sample that is used in the test
procedure. As an alternative, use pH paper to measure the pH.
Sulfide Remove sulfide interference as follows:

1. Add the contents of one Sulfide Inhibitor Reagent Powder Pillow to approximately 125 mL of
sample.
2. Mix for 1 minute.
3. Pour the solution through folded filter paper in a funnel.
4. Use the filtered sample in the chloride test procedure.

Sulfite Concentrations that are more than 10 mg/L interfere with this method. To remove sulfite
interference, add 3 drops of 30% Hydrogen Peroxide to the sample, then start the test.

Accuracy check
Standard additions method (sample spike)0.0141 N titrant
Use the standard additions method to validate the test procedure, reagents, apparatus,
technique and to find if there is an interference in the sample.

Chloride (25,000 mg/L) 3

 Items to collect:
Chloride Voluette Ampule Standard Solution, 12,500-mg/L Cl
Ampule Breaker
Pipet, TenSette, 0.11.0 mL and pipet tips

1. Use the test procedure to measure the concentration of the standard solution. Use
the 0.0141 N titrant.
2. Use a TenSette pipet to add 0.1 mL of the standard solution to the titrated sample.
3. Titrate the spiked sample to the endpoint. Record the mL of titrant added.
4. Add one more 0.1-mL addition of the standard solution to the titrated sample.
5. Titrate the spiked sample to the endpoint. Record the mL of titrant added.
6. Add one more 0.1-mL addition of the standard solution to the titrated sample.
7. Titrate the spiked sample to the endpoint. Record the mL of titrant added.
8. Compare the actual result to the correct result. The correct result for this titration is
2.5 mL of titrant for each 0.1-mL addition of the standard solution. If much more or
less titrant was used, there can be a problem with user technique, reagents,
apparatus or an interference.

Standard additions method (sample spike)0.141 N titrant

Use the standard additions method to validate the test procedure, reagents, apparatus,
technique and to find if there is an interference in the sample.
Items to collect:
Chloride Voluette Ampule Standard Solution, 12,500-mg/L Cl
Ampule Breaker
Pipet, TenSette, 0.11.0 mL and pipet tips

1. Use the test procedure to measure the concentration of the standard solution. Use
the 0.141 N titrant.
2. Use a TenSette pipet to add 1.0 mL of the standard solution to the titrated sample.
3. Titrate the spiked sample to the endpoint. Record the mL of titrant added.
4. Add one more 1.0-mL addition of the standard solution to the titrated sample.
5. Titrate the spiked sample to the endpoint. Record the mL of titrant added.
6. Add one more 1.0-mL addition of the standard solution to the titrated sample.
7. Titrate the spiked sample to the endpoint. Record the mL of titrant added.
8. Compare the actual result to the correct result. The correct result for this titration is
2.5 mL of titrant for each 1.0-mL addition of the standard solution. If much more or
less titrant was used, there can be a problem with user technique, reagents,
apparatus or an interference.

Titrant test0.0141 N titrant

Examine the strength of the Silver Nitrite Standard Solution each month. The strength of
Sodium Hydroxide Standard Solution slowly decreases in light.
Items to collect:
Sodium Chloride Standard Solution, 1000 mg/L as Cl
100-mL Class A volumetric flask
250-mL Erlenmeyer flask

1. Add 10.0 mL of Sodium Chloride Standard Solution (as 1000-mg/L as Cl) to a 100-
mL Class A volumetric flask.
2. Dilute the standard solution to approximately 100 mL with deionized water.
3. Add 100.0 mL of the diluted standard solution (100-mg/L as Cl) to a 250-mL
Erlenmeyer flask.

4 Chloride (25,000 mg/L)

 4. Add one Chloride 2 Indicator Powder Pillow to the flask.
5. Titrate the solution to the endpoint with the 0.0141 N titrant. Record the mL of titrant
added.
6. If more than 21 mL of titrant was added (test result = 105 mg/L chloride), discard the
titrant. Get new titrant.

Titrant test0.141 N titrant

Examine the strength of the 0.141 N Silver Nitrite Standard Solution each month. The
strength of Sodium Hydroxide Standard Solution slowly decreases in light.
Items to collect:
Sodium Chloride Standard Solution, 1000 mg/L as Cl
250-mL Erlenmeyer flask

1. Add 100.0 mL of Sodium Chloride Standard Solution (as 1000-mg/L as Cl) to a 250-
mL Erlenmeyer flask.
2. Add one Chloride 2 Indicator Powder Pillow to the flask.
3. Titrate the solution to the endpoint with the 0.141 N titrant. Record the mL of titrant
added.
4. If more than 21 mL of titrant was added (test result = 1050 mg/L chloride), discard the
titrant. Get new titrant.

Summary of Method
Silver nitrate is used as the titrant and potassium chromate as the indicator. Silver nitrate
first reacts selectively with the chloride in the sample to make insoluble white silver
chloride. After all the chloride has precipitated, the silver nitrate reacts with the chromate
to form an orange or red-brown silver chromate precipitate.
Consumables and replacement items
Required reagents

Description Quantity/Test Unit Item no.

Chloride 2 Indicator Powder Pillows 1 pillow 50/pkg 105766

Silver Nitrate Standard Solution, 0.0141 N varies 1L 31653
Silver Nitrate Standard Solution, 0.141 N varies 500 mL 1255149
Water, deionized varies 4L 27256

Required apparatus

Description Quantity/test Unit Item no.

Buret clamp, double 1 each 32800

Buret, Class A, 25 mL 1 each 2636540
Support stand 1 each 56300
Funnel, micro 1 each 2584335
Graduated cylindersSelect one or more for the sample volume:
Cylinder, graduated, 5 mL 1 each 50837
Cylinder, graduated, 10 mL 1 each 50838
Cylinder, graduated, 25 mL 1 each 50840
Cylinder, graduated, 50 mL 1 each 50841
Cylinder, graduated, 100 mL 1 each 50842

Chloride (25,000 mg/L) 5

Required apparatus (continued)
Description Quantity/test Unit Item no.

Tensette pipets and pipet tipsSelect one or more for the sample volume:

Pipet, TenSette , 0.11.0 mL 1 each 1970001

Pipet tips, TenSette Pipet, 0.11.0 mL varies 50/pkg 2185696

Pipet, TenSette , 1.010.0 mL 1 each 1970010

Pipet tips, TenSette Pipet, 1.010.0 mL varies 50/pkg 2199796
Flask, Erlenmeyer, 250 mL 1 each 50546

Recommended standards

Description Unit Item no.

Chloride Standard Solution, 12,500 mg/L as Cl, 10-mL Voluette ampules 16/pkg 1425010
Sodium Chloride Standard Solution, 1000-mg/L as Cl 500 mL 18349

Optional reagents and apparatus

Description Unit Item no.

Ampule Breaker, 10-mL Voluette Ampules each 2196800
Bottle, sampling, with cap, low density polyethylene, 250 mL 12/pkg 2087076
Clippers each 96800
Dropper, LDPE, 0.5 1.0 mL 20/pkg 2124720
Filter paper, folded, 35-micron, 12.5-cm 100/pkg 69257
Flask, volumetric, Class A, 100-mL each 1457442
Funnel, poly, 65 mm each 108367
Hydrogen Peroxide Solution, 30%, ACS 473 mL 14411
Paper, pH, 014 pH range 100/pkg 2601300
Sodium Hydroxide Standard Solution, 5.0 N 100 mL MDB 245032
Sulfide Inhibitor Reagent Powder Pillows 100/pkg 241899
Sulfuric Acid Standard Solution, 5.25 N 100 mL 244932
Stir bar, octagonal each 2095352
TitraStir Titration Stand, 115 VAC each 1940000
TitraStir Titration Stand, 230 VAC each 1940010

FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, PRICE INFORMATION AND ORDERING: HACH COMPANY

In the U.S.A. Call toll-free 800-227-4224 WORLD HEADQUARTERS
Outside the U.S.A. Contact the HACH office or distributor serving you. Telephone: (970) 669-3050
On the Worldwide Web www.hach.com; E-mail techhelp@hach.com FAX: (970) 669-2932

Hach Company/Hach Lange GmbH, 20072015. All rights reserved. 05/2015, Edition 8